DRAINAGE BOARD ELECTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5578, 8 January 1879, Page 6

DRAINAGE BOARD ELECTIONS.

Tke elections of members of the new Drainage Board took place yesterday without the least show of excitement. There were not more than three or four persons present at any of the places of nomination. CHEISICHUECH NOBTH-EAST. The nomination for this quarter took place at noon in the Orange Hall. Mr J. Thomson said he had much pleasure in proposing the re-election of Mr F. Hobbs. Ho did so because he thought that an old representative on the Board could better represent the district than a new man, and he also had the idea that a representative who served them well deserved to be re-elected, more especially when it was considered that the Board having initiated and being committed to a certain scheme, it would, he thought, bo very inadvisable to send any one in who might oppose it. The ratepayers bad given their consent to that scheme, and in his opinion it behoved them to put men on the Board who would give that scheme a fair trial. He had, therefore, much pleasure in nominating Mr Hobbs to act again as their representative on the Drainage Board. Mr B. B. Bishop said he had much pleasure in seconding the nomination of Mr Hobbs, though he had disagreed with one Eortion of his action* while a member of the ito Board. Mr Hobbs had, however, worked well, and had taken a very great interest in the drainage question, and he thought was entitled to a renewal of their confidence. Mr Thomson said, if permitted, he should like that Mr Hobbs would clear up a misapprehension which existed about house slops being drained into the Heatbcote, many believing tnat these slops included excreta. No other candidate being nominated, the Beturning Officer (Mr G. A. Buck) declared Mr Hobbs duly elected. Mr Hobbs desired to thank the ratepayers for their confidence in re-electing him on the Board. Very great difference of opinion bad existed as to the best system of drainage for the district, and eventually Mr Clark’s system had been adopted, and this the late Board had been - carrying out, and he hoped would give satisfaction to the ratepayers when completed. With reference to Mr Thomson’s question, he desired to say that Mr Clark’s time was very limited when he was here, and he had to prepare his plans from levels which had been taken for mm. The plan of the district, which had been inspected by that gentleman, showed Jackson's creek emptying into the Heatbcote as the natural watercourse for the Spreydonantt Heatbcote districts. That watercourse looked well defined on the map, but not only waa It really circuitous, but it was well known that it would take an expense to cl ear it out. best too for a etom-water drain had been laid down by Mr Dobson and others as along the Ferry torn.

On going closely into the plans, Mr Bril—the engineer to the Drainage. Board, whom he believed to be a very competent man—had discovered that Jackson’s creek would not answer, and that Mr Clark, in adopting that course, had not been aware of the volume of water which would have to get away after heavy rains. He (Mr Bell) then wrote to Mr Clark, who haa consented to abandon Jackson’s creek and take the storm water down the Ferry road. This had been the only deviation from Mr Clark’s original plan, made with the full concurrence of that gentleman. In Mr Clark's scheme a pipe sewer was laid down the Perry road for the purpose of carrying away the drainage from the houses along that line. All the Board now wanted was for the residents to drain into the sewer instead of into the pipe first contemplated, and which would bo most effectually flushed by the storm water. As far as polluting the Heathcote by this means was concerned, there was not the slightest need for alarm. For many years past there was no doubt but that a large proportion of the sewage from Christchurch had found its way into the Heathcote, and by this sewer not one five-hundredth part would reach that river, as had without doubt been the case for some time past. As he had said before, Mr Clark’s plan was being carried out thoroughly, and the only deviation made was with that gentleman’s entire approval With this view the Board had established a largo credit in London in Mr Clark’s favour for the purchase of pumping machinery and other plant. Progress would be made with the work as quickly as possible, and as soon as the pumping station had been erected, the main sower up Tuam street would be commenced. And here he might mention that while this main sewer was being constructed it would have been necessary to provide some temporary drain for carrying away the storm water. This could now be taken in the Perry road sewer, and was another consideration which had to be provided for by the Board’s Engineer. It was his great hope that a few years would see the drainage scheme for the whole district carried out thoroughly and effectively. (Hear, hear.) The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer.

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH-WEST. The nomination for the Christchurch north-west district took place at the City Council offices, where Mr F. G. P. Leach was the Returning Officer. The attendance was extremely limited, only the candidate (Mr John V. Ross) and one elector being present. A passer-by having been called in, Mr Ross was duly proposed by Dr Symes, seconded by Mr G. Piercy, and declared elected. CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH-WEST. The nomination for the district of Christchurch South-west took place at the St. Michael’s schoolroom, Mr Edward Silk acting as Returning Officer. Mr R. J. S. Harman, the old member, was proposed by Mr George Booth, and seconded by Mr £. Reese, and, being the only candidate was declared elected. Mr Harman thanked those present for the honour they had conferred upon him, and for the confidence they had shown. He expressed a high opinion of the scheme of drainage which had been adopted, and stated that by the winter the works in progress would be so far advanced as to be utilised in carrying off the storm water. When the works were really complete the benefit to the district would ba incalculable. CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH-EAST. The nomination for the representative for the south-east quarter took place at St. John’s schoolroom, Mr A. Lean, Returning Officer, presiding. Mr John Anderson proposed the re-election of Mr C. E. Blakiston as a member of the Drainage Board. The motion was seconded by Mr Robert Sutherland. No other candidate being nominated, The Returning Officer declared Mr C. R. Blakiston duly elected. The proceedings concluded with the customary vote to the Returning Officer. HEATHCOTE. The proceedings in connection with the Heathcote district were conducted at the Bead Board office. Ferry road, Mr W. T. C. Mills acting as Returning Officer. Mr Andrew Duncan, the old member, was proposed by Mr H. Sawtell, seconded by Mr S. Manning, and declared elected. AVON. For the Aron district the nomination took place at the Road Board office, Papanui road, Mr W. F. Beatson being the Returning Officer. Mr John Evans Brown was proposed by Mr J. L. Wilson, seconded by Mr J. Hadfield, and declared elected. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer terminated the proceedings. RICCARTON. A meeting of the electors of the Riccarton Drainage district was held yesterday for the purpose of nominating a member of the Draumge Board to represent the district for the ensuing three years. Mr N. Ellis, Returning Officer presided, and having stated the object of the meeting, called on the ratepayers to nominate candidates for election. Mr H. J. Hall was proposed by Mr Marten, and seconded by Mr Taylor, No other candidate being proposed, the Returning Officer declared Mr H. J. Hall, the former member, duly elected a member of the Drainage Board for the Riccarton district. Mr Hall thanked the electors for the honour conferred on him, and the proceedings terminated.